Motorex KTM’s return as a full-factory outfit in the Monster Energy MX Nationals, Australian Motocross Championship, saw early title favourite emerge as the victor in a stunning opening round performance. Waters took the GoPro Super Pole and then won both motos in convincing fashion.

It was a superb ride for Waters aboard the Factory Edition 450 SX-F, picking up where he left off last season as a clear contender for the title.

The first 30-minute moto saw the 22-year-old Queenslander slice his way to the front in the early stages to stretch out an unrivalled advantage, and he emulated that performance in moto two.

Waters’ form has fired a massive warning-shot to his Monster Energy MX1 opponents, taking full advantage of pre-season racing in New Zealand since switching from Suzuki at the end of last season. It was a dream result upon return to the KTM team.

“It’s a perfect day, I’ve got to give it up for KTM guys,” said Waters. “They’ve been working so damn hard, and the Zealand trip really paid off for us so I’ve got to thank them for the opportunity.

“Our team manager, Rob, has been working for hours on end and that’s why we’re up here now. It’s great to be part of the KTM family again – it’s like I haven’t left. Today we come away with the number one and it shows the team’s been working extra hard.”

Behind Waters was former teammate and newly-crowned two-time New Zealand champion Cody Cooper, the Motul Pirelli Suzuki rider putting forward a consistent effort with 3-3 results despite struggling to ninth and missing Super Pole in regular qualifying. Cooper was content with his ride, but trails Waters 15 points after round one of 10.

“My mind was a bit on the suspension side of things,” explained Cooper. “Todd was hauling today. I’ll go back home and do what I was doing and keep working at it.

“I want to thank the team and my trainer for getting me in the shape I need to be in. It was an exhausting day, the heat was pretty intense.”

Completing the premier class podium was CDR Yamaha’s newest recruit, Billy Mackenzie. The Scotsman was a lowly ninth in moto one, however second in moto two combined with four points for qualifying second boosted him up onto the podium in a tri-nation result. He was philosophical about his performance, but happy to score third on debut in Australia on the YZ450F.

“I like the Super Pole and it paid off today as I managed to get second,” said Mackenzie. “Altogether the first round has been awesome. I can’t thank CDR Yamaha enough today, they’ve been awesome.

“I was battling so hard in the first race, I really made it difficult for myself. But I managed to come back stronger in the second and get the result I needed.”

Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jay Marmont mirrored Mackenzie’s results in the motos, but it was his qualifying result of 11th that denied him a position on the podium overall. Still, Marmont was satisfied with the overall result as it serves a promising foundation for the four-time champion’s season ahead.

Motul Pirelli Suzuki’s Matt Moss rounded out the top five in his return to Australia and on debut in the 450 class, scoring fourth in moto one and sixth in the second.

One point behind him overall was Tye Simmonds (Motul Pirelli Suzuki), while Lawson Bopping (CDR Yamaha) bounced back from a difficult opening moto after an early fall to finish seventh for the round.

Jake Moss also endured a tough first moto on his Campbell Mining Suzuki, but eighth in moto two salvaged him that same spot overall. Rookies Adam Monea (Monster Energy Kawasaki) and Ford Dale (Carlton Dry Honda Racing) completed the top 10, the latter being another who was forced to fight back in moto one from an early incident.

In the Motul MX2 ranks it was Serco Yamaha’s Luke Styke who dominated the round aboard the YZ250F, winning both motos after qualifying on the pole position. It was a spectacular start to the season for Styke after finishing second in 2012, handing him a 12-point lead in the series after the first of 10 rounds.

“I can’t thank the team enough,” said Styke” They’re working around the clock to get us here on the weekends so an unlimited thank you to them and thanks to the Raymond Terrace club and WEM for putting on a great meeting.

“My trainer has got me tuned up pretty tight and I’ll go back home and keep working on things. Hopefully we can minimise some of the mistakes at Murray Bridge and just go from here.”

Second overall was title rival Josh Cachia on debut with Carlton Dry Honda Racing. Cachia holeshotted the opening moto before uncharacteristically fading to fifth, but was able to bounce back with effect in moto two with second position behind Styke. The popular Victorian was content with his result, but remains hampered by a nagging wrist injury.

“There’s no doubt about it I sucked that first race,” admitted Cachia. “I went from first to fifth and I wasn’t very happy with it. I told myself ‘you’ve got to pull your finger out, you’ve just been to America, you’ve come back and embarrassed yourself’.

“I need to get some things fixed. I want to come back stronger and fitter each time. I want to put it together for the team who’s been working so hard to get me where I am.”

Two-stroke mounted KTM rookie Kale Makeham stunned with third overall on the 250 SX. Makeham was a surprise third in moto one and backed that result up with fourth in moto two. The current Under 19s Supercross champion was ecstatic with his performance, one that made the industry stand up and take further notice of the rising star.

“I couldn’t even imagine it [podium result] in my wildest dreams,” said Makeham. “I’ve been putting in the work for the last 10 weeks and we came in with no expectations.

“We knew we were going to be good but this is just over and above. Ever since I won that championship in the Under 19s I’ve become a new man. I’ve got confidence and self belief, I know I can do it I’ve just got to put in the work.”

Styke’s teammate Clout was another impressive first-timer in moto one with the second position, but had to settle for eighth in the second moto after a crash on the final lap. Those results slotted him into fourth overall for the weekend, ahead of Kade Mosig (Zero Seven Motorsports Kawasaki).

The Pirelli MXD ranks saw two new winners in the motos, with Jack Simpson (KTM) winning the first 20-minute moto of the season before Jesse Dobson (Kawasaki) broke through for the first victory of his senior career in the MX Nationals.

The overall round win was awarded to Simpson, who finished second in moto two. Dobson was a close second due to his result of third in the opening moto of the day.

Kiwi Hamish Harwood (KTM) made it three new faces on the podium overall thanks to his scorecard of 5-3. Fourth and fifth was Nick Scott and Corey James respectively. The factory-supported GYTR Yamaha duo of Jay Wilson and Joel Dinsdale finished 10th and 13th overall after a disastrous opener.

The 2013 series will continue in a fortnight at Murray Bridge in South Australia on 28 April.

Monster Energy MX1 Overall Results:
1. Todd Waters 75
2. Cody Cooper 60
3. Billy Mackenzie 58
4. Jay Marmont 54
5. Matt Moss 53
6. Tye Simmonds 52
7. Lawson Bopping 50
8. Jake Moss 47
9. Adam Monea 46
10. Ford Dale 43
11. Cody Mackie 41
12. Kirk Gibbs 37
13. Daniel McCoy 37
14. Robbie Marshall 36
15. Jacob Wright 35
16. Sam Martin 32
17. James Booth Elliot 26
18. Matt Clarke 24
19. Sam Duncanson 21
20. Jason Reed 21

Motul MX2 Overall Results:
1. Luke Styke 70
2. Josh Cachia 58
3. Kale Makeham 58
4. Luke Clout 55
5. Kade Mosig 53
6. Brock Winston 52
7. Matt Ryan 47
8. Kayne Lamont 46
9. Takeshi Katsuya 44
10. Geran Stapleton 43
11. Tristen Cachia 38
12. Nathan Brochtrup 33
13. Zak Newsome 32
14. Glenn Kearney 31
15. Wade Hunter 27
16. Aden Brown 26
17. Lewis Woods 22
18. Beau Ralston 22
19. Rhys Carter 20
20. James Brown 18

Pirelli MXD Overall Results:
1. Jack Simpson 67
2. Jesse Dobson 65
3. Hamish Harwood 56
4. Nick Scott 52
5. Corey James 52
6. Logan Blackburn 44
7. Jake Emmanuelli 44
8. Richard Evans 42
9. Joel Wightman 41
10. Jay Wilson 41
11. Jesse McNally 39
12. Jordan Bissaker 30
13. Joel Dinsdale 30
14. Meghan Rutledge 28
15. Tomas Ravenhorst 27
16. Jarrad Davis 26
17. Jett Anderson 23
18. Jesse Madden 22
19. Tyler Lange 22
20. Aaron Tanti 22

Click here for detailed results